CalArtian’s Work to Be Premiered by Santa Clarita Master Chorale

The Santa Clarita Master Choral premieres a new piece by recent alumnus, James Tatti on June 3. Photo: scmasterchorale.org

Last year, Santa Clarita Master Chorale (SCMC) instituted its annual CalArts composition contest, which commissions one CalArts composition student to write a piece for the ensemble. Now in its second year, SCMC announced that this year’s winner is composer James Tatti (Music BFA 12). The Chorale premieres his work, To The God Who Gave Breath: Alleluia, on June 3 at 3:30 pm at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.

Described as both “lyrical and dramatic,” recent grad Tatti’s work is based on the book of Genesis. Tatti draws inspiration from early chant, renaissance polyphony, impressionism, minimalism and film music. The piece below, Requiem – Funeral March & Be Still My Soul, illustrates his early chant influence:

On the same program, the Chorale presents songs about “singing,” including Vocalise by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, Rhythm of Life from the musical, Sweet Charity, and the 20th-Century American composer Norman Dello Joio’s Jubilant Song. The concert wraps up their 2011-2012 season, with the choir joined by Santa Clarita Children’s Honor Choir in presenting Mass of the Children by by songwriter John Rutter.

Last year’s contest winner, CalArts composer Chaz Underriner (Music MFA 12), received a commission for his piece A Mountain in Labor for choir, narrator and piano.

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